Wes Holly Jr. is in his eighth season (2022) as an assistant coach for the Milligan softball staff.
The Milligan softball team reached the NAIA World Series in 2021 and Holly Jr. was honored alongside head coach Wes Holly (Sr.) as the NFCA Region I Coaching Staff of the Year. The Buffs also made NAIA National Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017.
This is also Holly Jr.’s second stint at Milligan after working 2001-2004 before leaving to coach at Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee.
“I am excited to be back at Milligan, my alma mater, after 10 years of NCAA Division I and Division II levels,” said Holly Jr. “I want to thank President Bill Greer, Athletic Director Mark Fox, and Coach Holly for the opportunity to come back to where my wife, Tracy, and I call home.”
Prior to his most recent position at Milligan, Holly Jr. coached at NCAA Division I institution Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, as the head softball coach from 2013-2015. Before taking over the Kennesaw program, Holly Jr. served as the Owls’ assistant coach, assistant head coach and associate head coach from within a span of seven years (2007-2013).
From 2006 to 2007, Holly Jr. served as an assistant coach at Longwood University (NCAA D-I) in Farmville, Virginia, and his first head coaching job came at Tusculum College (NCAA D-II), a position he held from 2005-2006 .
Holly Jr. was the associate head coach at Tusculum from 2004-2005 after getting his first college coaching job at his alma mater, Milligan.
“Milligan has always held a special place in my heart,” said Holly Jr. “It has very high standards and ethics academically, athletically, and as people, which are all things I regard very highly.”
Holly Jr. played softball for ASA men’s major open fast-pitch, seeing action at many different positions, including shortstop, pitcher and catcher, and traveling all over the United States. He earned gold glove honors at shortstop, while also catching all-world pitchers and pitching himself at times. He was considered a triple threat offensively and had tremendous speed.
Wes played baseball and basketball collegiately, and was a four-sport athlete in high school, excelling in baseball, football, basketball and track.
Holly Jr. also has a military background as he served in the United States Navy.
Wes graduated from Milligan in 2004 with a degree in human performance and exercise science. He and his wife, Tracy, reside in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Wes Holly Jr. is the son of Milligan’s head softball coach Wes Holly, who is in his 33rd year at the head of the program.